West London bus strikes postponed for more talks

More than 350 staff at London Transit were due to walk out on 26, 27 and 28 November

Three more days of strike action by west London bus workers have been postponed pending further talks next week.

More than 350 staff at London Transit were due to walk out on 26, 27 and 28 November. Drivers, engineers and store workers based at the Westbourne Park depot are unhappy with a below-inflation pay rise offered by the company's parent firm, First Bus London.

The same Unite union members previously took part in industrial action on 14, 17 and 18 November.

First Bus London said: "We're pleased that, following positive discussions, the planned strike action has been cancelled and that further talks with Unite will continue."

It added: "Industrial action causes significant disruption for Londoners who rely on our services and for our colleagues, so we welcome this outcome."

Unite has agreed to attend a meeting with conciliation service Acas and London Transit on 2 December in an effort to resolve the dispute.

Transport for London confirmed that services were expected to run as normal in the coming days.

'Utter disregard'

Unite previously requested an above-inflation pay offer with full back pay for all employees, demands it says have not yet been met.

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is disgraceful behaviour from a company making millions from London bus passengers.

"It shows an utter disregard for its workers and the hard work they do day in, day out.

"Our members won't stand for such behaviour and Unite will back them all the way in this dispute with a company that has a history of anti-worker behaviour."

Routes affected during the strike would have included 13, 23, 31, N31, 218, 295 and 452.